Telecommunication Stocks To Report Earnings: CTL, QRVO, MSI

With the earnings season in full swing, predictions of negative earnings growth remain the major talking point. However, as more and more companies report their earnings, actual results are turning out to be better than initially perceived. The extent of earnings and revenue beats this season is perhaps due to already lowered expectations as analysts had factored in the headwinds, bringing estimates down to easy-to-beat levels. Our Zacks Trend Report foresees an 8% decline in earnings and a 1% dip in revenues for the quarter on a year-over-year basis. Although data indicates the fourth consecutive quarter of an earnings decline, it should be noted that the degree of southward estimate revisions has slowed down considerably as the earnings season unfolded.

Notably, earnings for the current quarter are expected to be down 5.1%, as per the Zacks Trend Report, on the back of 0.8% lower revenues. So, is the ‘Earnings Recession’ for real? We leave that for time to answer. For now, let’s focus on some telecommunication stocks, specifically communication equipment companies that are expected to report their quarterly results early next week.

Industry Trends

Major customers for the communication equipment manufacturing and servicing companies include telecom operators and cable Multi Service Operators (MSO), who rely on the former to expand their wireless and wireline networks. With the recent development of over-the-top (OTT) services and other network concepts like Internet of Things (IoT) gaining momentum, revenue prospects look promising for this industry over the near term. Moreover, telecom companies and cable MSOs are always investing in newer technologies like high-speed Gigabit fiber optical networks, DOCSIS 3.1 and 5G networks. As new standards for networking emerge, these communication infrastructure companies have a pivotal role to play in innovation and smooth transition to such standards. However, a soft economic outlook can force major telecom companies to defer investment plans, thereby affecting revenues going forward.

Stocks in Focus

CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE:CTL) is slated to release its first-quarter 2016 results after the market closes on May 4. The company has recently inked an agreement with leading cybersecurity analytics firm, WISeKey, to offer cybersecurity services for Internet of Things (IoT) providers. Recognizing the need to provide security services for IoT’s data transmission purposes, we believe that CenturyLink’s tie-up with WISeKey will give the company an opportunity to generate healthy revenues, going forward.

CenturyLink has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and an Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Based on this combination, our proven model does not conclusively show that CenturyLink is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this quarter. Last quarter, CenturyLink delivered a positive earnings surprise of 23.08%. (Read More: CenturyLink Q1 Earnings: What's Ahead for the Stock?)

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI) is scheduled to release first-quarter 2016 earnings on May 5, after the market closes. The company anticipates a 4–6% decline in revenues in the first quarter on a year-over-year basis, assuming an adverse currency impact of $20 million.

Motorola Solutions has a Zacks Rank #3 and Earnings ESP of 0.00%. Based on this combination, our proven model does not conclusively show that CenturyLink is likely to beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate this quarter. Last quarter, Motorola Solutions had posted a positive earnings surprise of 7.14%. (Read More: Motorola Solutions Q1 Earnings: A Surprise in Store?)

Qorvo, Inc. (NASDAQ:QRVO) is scheduled to report fourth-quarter fiscal 2016 results after the closing bell on May 4. Qorvo offered a relatively bullish guidance for the fourth quarter, wherein revenues are expected to increase on a sequential basis to approximately $600 million, while earnings per share were expected in the range of 90–95 cents.

This Zacks Rank#3 stock has a positive Earnings ESP of 2.90% which makes us reasonably confident of an earnings beat this quarter. In the last reported quarter, adjusted earnings comfortably beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 8 cents. (Read More: Can Qorvo Beat Q4 Earnings on Organic Growth?)

Stay tuned! Check later on our full write-up on earnings releases of these stocks.